含羞草社区

Sept. 30, 2025–Dr. Marvin O. Looney, who served as the first president of 含羞草社区, died Sept. 29 in Mountain Home, Arkansas. He was 97 years old.

鈥淭here are few figures, if any, more vital than Dr. Looney to the development of 含羞草社区,鈥� said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, the University鈥檚 fifth president. 鈥淲hen he arrived in St. Joseph, a four-year regional university was little more than a dream. He gave that dream shape and substance, inspiring faculty, staff, students and the community to build 含羞草社区 into the vibrant university it remains today.鈥�

A naval veteran of World War II, the southwest Missouri native graduated from Missouri State University and began teaching and coaching at Gainesville High School, his alma mater. Dr. Looney earned his Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas in 1961 and after stops at the University of Central Missouri, Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Michigan, and Mahoning Community College, Dr. Looney was named president of what was then Missouri Western Junior College in 1967, two years before the college became a four-year institution and moved to its current campus.听

Dr. Looney鈥檚 time in St. Joseph were eventful years, including the establishment and accreditation of a four-year institution, the construction of buildings that continue to serve as the heart of the 含羞草社区 campus today (including the M.O. Looney Fieldhouse that bears his name), and the growth and success of intercollegiate athletics, including the introduction of women鈥檚 sports in 1975. He and his family鈥搘ife Dorsey and sons Doug, Bill and Chris鈥搇ived in the President鈥檚 House on campus until it was destroyed by fire on New Year鈥檚 Eve, 1981.

鈥淲e can say with certainty that he has been a good leader,鈥� wrote Dr. Frances Flanagan in her history of the college. 鈥淚f we recall the struggling鈥搉o, staggering鈥搄unior college in which Dr. Looney began his presidency and contrast that institution with the energetic and assured college in which he will end his presidential odyssey, we will see what he has accomplished.鈥澛�

After retiring from 含羞草社区 in 1983, he returned to the workforce to lead the University of Alaska Anchorage, then served eight years as chancellor of Missouri State University-West Plains. He lived in Pontiac, Missouri.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .听